System Requirements

Highlights of the Java Uninstall tool

• Older versions of Java detected, will be presented to the user for removal
• The user can choose to remove all or select specific versions of Java to remove
• Works on the Windows operating systems
• Detects and allows removal of Java versions 1.4.2 and higher.
• The Java version that is currently in use to run the tool will not be removed
• Only Java versions installed using the Java installer are detected. If Java is bundled with any application that uses its own installer, that version of Java will not be offered for removal.

How do I access the Java Uninstall tool?

• by loading the Java Uninstall tool web page
• after Windows Java 7 installation. The uninstall tool features are integrated with the Java verification (Windows only).

This tool cannot be downloaded and it can run only within the browser.

How does the Java Uninstall tool work?

1. At the start, the page checks to see that you are on a supported system (Windows), and if not, you will see a message that indicates your system is not supported and provides links to manual uninstall instructions.
2. On Windows systems, the page checks your Java version before running the tool. If your system is not using the latest secure version, you will be prompted to update before being allowed to run the uninstaller tool. Some browsers may block the Java plug-in by default. Firefox will ask for permission to run or activate both the Java Deployment Toolkit and the Java plugin. See Troubleshooting Tips for using Java for more information.
3. The page will run a Java application and you may be presented with a security prompt asking if you would like to run the Java Detection applet. If you see this prompt, click the Run button to load the applet on the page. Some browsers may block the Java plug-in by default.
4. The Java Uninstall tool has started when you see a red button that says I Agree to the Terms and Want to Continue. View the terms of use for the tool then click the button to start the tool.
5. The tool checks to see if there are any old versions that can be removed. If there are none, you will see a message that there are no old versions of Java on your computer, otherwise you will be presented with a list of versions and if you click Uninstall Selected Versions, the process to remove them begins.
6. While old Java versions are being uninstalled, a progress bar is displayed.
7. When the uninstallation of all selected old Java versions has completed, the Old Versions Successfully Uninstalled message will be displayed. Uninstalled versions are also written to a log file that is accessible through a link in the applet. If all the old versions could not be uninstalled, a message describing the problem will be displayed.

Why doesn't the tool remove the current Java version?

The tool is a Java applet that runs using the current version of Java. It cannot remove the Java version that is currently in use.
If you would like to completely remove Java from your computer, please see
How do I uninstall Java on Windows?
How do I uninstall Java 7 on Mac?
How do I uninstall Java on Linux?

Can I restore versions removed using the uninstall tool?

No. If you have uninstalled a version that you find is needed on your system, it will need to be reinstalled. Refer to the Java Archive for older versions.

Why does the Uninstall tool prompt me for permission to run as administrator?

As removing Java from your computer requires administrative permissions, Windows might trigger a warning requesting permission to run as an administrator for each one of the Java versions that are to be removed. » More info (microsoft.com)

Will the Java Development Kit (JDK) be removed by the Uninstall tool?

No. The tool does not remove installations of the Java Development Kit (JDK).

I have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Java. Why am I prompted to upgrade only the 32-bit version to the latest version?

JRE bundles are distributed separately for 32- and 64-bit, and the applet offers upgrading of the running JRE version.

Why can't I view the Terms of Use for the Uninstall tool?

It is possible that the user has configured the browser to not allow pop-ups. Some browsers interpret the link on the page as a pop-up. To view Terms of Use, allow pop-ups from java.com, then click the link again.

What should I do if I encounter an error while trying to uninstall Java using the tool or need to remove a version below 1.4.2?

If you find an error or need to remove a version below 1.4.2, you can manually uninstall Java.

To report an issue about the Java Uninstall tool, please let us know using the Issue Reporting page.